title: Current trends in narcotic use in pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate trends and prevalence of chronic prescription narcotic use during pregnancy and the subsequent neonatal outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all deliveries at Mayo Clinic from 1998 through 2009; the data was obtained from prospectively maintained obstetrics and neonatal databases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over the study time period, there were 26,314 deliveries; 167 women used prescription narcotics chronically during pregnancy. The prevalence of women who used chronic narcotics during their pregnancy increased over the time period from 1998-2009 (P < .0001). Neonatal withdrawal syndrome occurred in 10 of neonates (5.6%), and all but 1 of these neonates required pharmacologic treatment for the disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic narcotic use during pregnancy is increasing in prevalence. Neonatal withdrawal syndrome occurred in 5.6% of the exposed neonates. Although neonatal withdrawal syndrome is uncommon, it is clinically significant. Physicians need to consider the risks and benefits carefully when prescribing narcotic pain medications during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kellogg
authors.forename: Carl H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Roger H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Harms
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009357:Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced*; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D055553:Prescription Drugs